Language is a vital function of human society. Through the use of speech we are able to interact and communicate our various thoughts and feelings with others. In addition, language is an extremely powerful tool, one that can be used to initiate revolutions and end tyrannys. Without language life would be chaotic due to the fact that we would have no understanding of each other let alone how to build and maintain a stable environment. Communication is one key aspect of our lives which we use every single day, from actual speaking to writing and even gestures. In the essays Public and Private language by, Richard Rodriguez and Learning to Read and Write by, Frederick Douglas both authors learn just how powerful language is in their attempt to
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People who do not share the same language are deprived socially because they are unable to communicate effectively with others. It is also a disadvantage as one who suffers from a language barrier will find difficulty conveying their desires and needs attached to their daily lives. Being that Conversation is therapeutic, humans often glorify the ease felt through conversing with another. In a similar manner Richard Rodriguez experienced the same ease with his family at home. He states “ I remained cloistered and by sounds, timid and shy in public, too dependent on voices at home.” ( Rodriguez 52) As a result, of Rodriguez speaking spanish he felt uncomfortable using the English language. This made him an outsider in his own world as he was unable to speak to anyone. The only world Rodriguez actively took part in was his world at home with his family. The time period of Rodriguez’s narrative was during the 1900’s. America was a lot different than it was in the days of Frederick Douglas during this time period. Unlike Mr. Douglas, Rodriguez’ white counterparts were not his enslavers. They also wanted him to learn how to read and write the English language because they understood how doing so would benefit him. Unlike Douglas, Rodriguez was not very eager when it came to learning how to read and write. In view of this, simple everyday talk such as purchasing from the Deli was a big deal to Rodriguez since he was forced to speak …show more content…
Douglas used the fact that his owners did not want him to know how to read and write as motivation to learn on his own. Rodriguez was the complete opposite, he did not want to learn a new language as he felt English did not belong to him. Frederick though young and alone cleverly made teachers of his environment. To Rodriguez however, his environment remained foreign for a long time because he was so eager to escape it and return to the safety of his home. Both men felt language was not something they were allowed to. Each man felt disadvantaged and unequal to their white counterparts. In the end they both discovered the power of their words. Had Frederick Douglas not been able to read and write there would be no account of his personal life. Additionally had Richard Rodriguez not learned to speak English he wouldn’t have been able to express his views of public and private language so
People who do not share the same language are deprived socially because they are unable to communicate effectively with others. It is also a disadvantage as one who suffers from a language barrier will find difficulty conveying their desires and needs attached to their daily lives. Being that Conversation is therapeutic, humans often glorify the ease felt through conversing with another. In a similar manner Richard Rodriguez experienced the same ease with his family at home. He states “ I remained cloistered and by sounds, timid and shy in public, too dependent on voices at home.” ( Rodriguez 52) As a result, of Rodriguez speaking spanish he felt uncomfortable using the English language. This made him an outsider in his own world as he was unable to speak to anyone. The only world Rodriguez actively took part in was his world at home with his family. The time period of Rodriguez’s narrative was during the 1900’s. America was a lot different than it was in the days of Frederick Douglas during this time period. Unlike Mr. Douglas, Rodriguez’ white counterparts were not his enslavers. They also wanted him to learn how to read and write the English language because they understood how doing so would benefit him. Unlike Douglas, Rodriguez was not very eager when it came to learning how to read and write. In view of this, simple everyday talk such as purchasing from the Deli was a big deal to Rodriguez since he was forced to speak …show more content…
Douglas used the fact that his owners did not want him to know how to read and write as motivation to learn on his own. Rodriguez was the complete opposite, he did not want to learn a new language as he felt English did not belong to him. Frederick though young and alone cleverly made teachers of his environment. To Rodriguez however, his environment remained foreign for a long time because he was so eager to escape it and return to the safety of his home. Both men felt language was not something they were allowed to. Each man felt disadvantaged and unequal to their white counterparts. In the end they both discovered the power of their words. Had Frederick Douglas not been able to read and write there would be no account of his personal life. Additionally had Richard Rodriguez not learned to speak English he wouldn’t have been able to express his views of public and private language so